Acoustic transducer module

ABSTRACT

A module ( 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 ) may be electrically connected to a PCB ( 18 ) residing in a device ( 14 ) or may be joined to the device ( 14 ) to form a portion of the housing ( 16 ) of the device ( 14 ). The module includes a housing ( 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602 ) having at least one layer, a surface mountable component, such as a surface mountable acoustic transducer ( 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 ) having a connecting surface ( 114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614 ) disposed within the housing ( 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602 ), and at least one acoustic port ( 124, 224, 324, 424, 524, 624 ) formed on a surface of the housing ( 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602 ). The module ( 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 ) may further include a secondary mounting structure ( 654 ) electrically connected to the connecting surface ( 114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614 ) of the surface mountable acoustic transducer ( 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 ). The acoustic port ( 124, 224, 324, 424, 524, 624 ) may include a layer of an environmental barrier ( 450, 550 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/450,569, filed Feb. 28, 2003 herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This patent relates to transducer modules used in communication devices, audio devices or the like, and more particularly, to micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) miniature silicon condenser microphone modules.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0003] Mobile communication technology advancements have progressed rapidly in recent years. Consumers are increasingly using mobile communication devices such as cellular phones, web-enabled cellular telephones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), hand-held computers, laptops, tablets or any other device types that are capable of communication over public or private communication networks. The deployment of more cellular networks especially and the technological advancements in mobile communication technology have resulted in more consumers using mobile communications devices driving improvements in the manufacturing processes, power consumption, reception, fabrication, and miniaturization of the audio devices. As the size of mobile communication devices becomes smaller, ever-increasing demands are placed upon improving the inherent performance of the miniature transducer modules that are utilized.

[0004] Generally speaking, conventional electret condenser microphones (ECM) have been used for communication devices such as cellular phones, web-enabled phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), hand-held computers, laptops, tablets or other such devices. In these communication devices, such as cellular telephones, a connector member electrically connects an electret condenser microphone to a printed circuit board fixed within a device housing. The connector may include a gasket between the ECM and the outer housing that is formed with an aperture or port to provide an acoustic path from outside the housing to the ECM. The final assembly of the ECM and the connector with gasket onto the PCB within the housing must be done either manually or with off-line equipment resulting in considerable yield loss due to either poor electrical connections or a poor (leaky) acoustic connection. Soldering of the ECM is not possible due to temperature limitations of the materials used to construct it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cellular phone incorporating a condenser microphone module in accordance with the described embodiments;

[0006]FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cellular phone of FIG. 1;

[0007]FIGS. 3A-3B are cross-sectional views of a described embodiment of an acoustic transducer module;

[0008]FIGS. 4A-4B are cross-sectional views of another described embodiment of an acoustic transducer module;

[0009]FIGS. 5A-5B are cross-sectional views of another described embodiment of an acoustic transducer module;

[0010]FIGS. 6A-6C are cross-sectional views of another described embodiment of an acoustic transducer module;

[0011]FIGS. 7A-7C are cross-sectional views of another described embodiment of an acoustic transducer module; and

[0012]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another described embodiment of an acoustic transducer module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] While the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, certain embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and these embodiments will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that this disclosure is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms described, but to the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

[0014] Embodiments of the invention described herein overcome assembly and performance problems associated with previous designs to provide a simple, efficient and economic way and method of manufacturing an acoustic transducer module, such as a microphone module for use with communications devices. The many features and advantages of the invention include providing a reliable electrical connection and a reliable, leak free, acoustic connection. In various embodiments, the invention uses a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device, e.g., a transducer and/or silicon-based microphone for use with communication devices.

[0015] As will be appreciated from the following description of embodiments, an acoustic transducer module includes a housing and a surface mounted acoustic transducer disposed within the housing. The surface mounted acoustic transducer may have a surface for electrically coupling the surface mounted acoustic transducer to a printed circuit board. The surface is exposed externally of the housing. An acoustic pathway couples the surface mounted acoustic transducer to an exterior surface of the housing.

[0016] The surface mounted acoustic transducer may be received within a cavity formed within the housing and secured therein, for example, by mechanical fasteners, friction and mutually engaging mechanical elements. Alternatively, the surface mounted acoustic transducer is secured by bonding or in situ molded within the housing.

[0017] The housing may include a first housing member and a second housing member. The first housing member may be an inner housing layer and the second housing member may be an outer housing layer. An intermediate layer may be disposed between the first housing layer and the second housing layer. The first housing layer and the second housing layer may each be non-conductive and the intermediate layer may be a conductive layer.

[0018] A barrier may be disposed within the acoustic pathway. The barrier may be a polymeric material film or a sintered metal.

[0019] The housing may include a retaining structure adjacent the connecting surface. The retaining structure may be sized to receive an extension portion of a printed circuit board of an electronic device.

[0020] The housing may include a mounting structure. The mounting structure is configured to engage a complimentary mounting structure formed on an electronic device for securing the acoustic transducer module to the electronic device. A secondary mounting structure may also be provided to electrically couple the surface mounted acoustic transducer to an electronic device.

[0021] The surface mounted acoustic transducer may be a miniature silicon condenser microphone.

[0022] An electronic device may include a housing and a printed circuit board secured within the housing. An acoustic transducer housing is also provided and a surface mounted acoustic transducer is disposed within the acoustic transducer housing. The surface mounted acoustic transducer may have a surface for electrically coupling the surface mounted acoustic transducer to the printed circuit board, the surface being exposed externally of the acoustic transducer housing. At least one acoustic pathway couples the surface mounted acoustic transducer to an exterior surface of the housing. The acoustic transducer housing is secured to the housing and surface being in contact with the printed circuit board to electrically couple the surface mounted acoustic transducer to printed circuit board. The electronic device may be a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a laptop computer or a portable web browser. The acoustic transducer housing may be bonded to, mechanically secured to or in situ molded within the housing, and the acoustic transducer housing may have a surface forming a portion of a surface of the housing.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a silicon condenser microphone module is shown generally at numeral 10. The module 10 is electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) 12 residing in a hand-held wireless communication device 14, such as a cellular phone. Of course the module 10 may be adapted for use in virtually any other type of electronic device, including web-enabled phones, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, other types of portable computing and Internet access appliances and devices, and the like, that may also be capable of communication over public or private communication networks. As explained in greater detail below, the module 10 may be mated with the device 14. Alternately, the module 10 may be joined to the device 14 to form a portion of its outer housing 16.

[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3B a module 100 in accordance with a described embodiment of the invention can be used in a communication device, including devices similar to the cellular phone 14 illustrated in FIG. 1. The module 100 may include a housing 102 including a top housing section 104 and a bottom housing section 106. The top housing section 104 and the bottom housing section 106 may be joined together by mechanical fastening, crimping, welding or adhesive bonding, for instance. The housing 102 is shown to have at least one layer; however, the housing 102 may utilize alternating layers of conductive and/or non-conductive materials and such embodiment will be discussed in greater detail. In the embodiment shown, the housing 102 is made of polymeric material such as molded plastic material.

[0025] The module 100 further includes a surface mountable component 110, a substrate (not shown), and a receiver 112. The surface mountable component (SMC) 110 may include a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device, e.g. a transducer or silicon-based microphone such as the silicon condenser microphone disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,482; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/886,754; International Patent Application PCT/US0148462; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/238,256, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirely for all purposes. In the embodiment shown, the SMC 110 is a MEMS based, miniature silicon condenser microphone. The SMC 110 may be molded within the housing 102 or fit or molded within the retainer structure 112 formed within the housing 102.

[0026] The SMC 110 includes a connecting surface 114 for electrically connecting with a printed circuit board (PCB) within the communication device or to otherwise electrically couple the SMC 110 to the communication device. The connecting surface 114 can be located on an upper surface 116, a side surface 118, or a bottom surface 120 of the SMC 110. The connecting surface 114 may be electrically coupled to the PCB via a soldering process; however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any form of electrical connection would suffice, including conductive adhesive, contacts, spring-loaded contacts, plugs, and the like. The module 100 may further include a secondary mounting structure that is electrically coupled to the connecting surface 114 and such embodiment will be discussed in greater detail. In the embodiment shown, the connecting surface 114 is located on the side surface 118 of the SMC 110 for electrically coupling the SMC 110 with the PCB 12 within the device 14.

[0027] At least one aperture or acoustic port, three are illustrated as ports 124 a, 124 b and 124 c, is introduced on the surface of the housing 102 to allow acoustic waves to enter. For simplicity, when referring to the one or more acoustic ports reference will be made to acoustic port 124 with the understanding the one or more such ports may be provided. Multiple acoustic ports provide a directional sensitivity capability in the SMC 110. The acoustic port 124 can be formed on the upper surface 126, side surface 128 or bottom surface 130 of the housing 102, or in multiple locations on these surfaces. In the embodiment shown, the first acoustic port 124 a is located on the upper surface 126, the second acoustic port 124 b is located on the bottom surface 130, and the third acoustic port 124 c is located on the side surface 128 to provide directional characteristics, i.e., omni-directional, bi-directional, or uni-directional sensitivity in the SMC 110.

[0028] The acoustic port 124 may be formed by a number of methods, including drilling through the housing 102 to form an acoustic pathway to the SMC 110 or molding the acoustic port 124 into the housing 102. Alternatively, a port may be formed, such as by drilling, completely through the housing 102, the device PCB and outer housing to allow acoustic energy to be coupled to the SMC 110.

[0029] The module 100 is capable of withstanding relatively high temperatures including those associated with various plastic molding processes. The module 110 may therefore be mounted within or mated to the device during a plastic molding process used to produce the device housing 16. Doing so provides the advantages of reduced overall size of the device while maintaining good electroacoustic performance such as sensitivity, noise, stability, compactness, robustness, and insensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and other external and environmental conditions (including shock and debris).

[0030] As shown, the module 100 is electrically connected such as by soldering to the PCB 12 within the device 14. Alternately, the module 100 may be mechanically or frictionally joined with the housing 16 of the device 14. Alternative methods such as fasteners, frictional connectors, snap fit, tongue and groove assemblies, that may or may not be formed as a portion of the external surface or outer housing 16 of the device 14, may be used to secure the module 100 to the device 14 by engaging corresponding structures or surfaces of the housing 102. It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that bonding and similar forms of joining, such as epoxy, tape and the like, may be used. The housing 102 of the module 100 may be colored and/or textured with a smooth polished surface including beveled edges, dimples, or the like to match the external surface or outer housing 16 of the device 14.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4B a module 200 in accordance with a described embodiment of the invention can be used in communication device, including devices similar to the device 14 illustrated in FIG. 1. The module 200 is similar in construction and function as the module 100 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and like elements are referred to using like reference numerals wherein, for example, 100 and 102 correspond to 200 and 202, respectively. The module 200 may include a housing 202 including a top housing section 204 and a bottom housing section 206. The top housing section 204 and the bottom housing section 206 may be joined together by mechanical fastener, crimping, welding or adhesive bonding, for instance. The housing 202 is shown to have at least one layer 208; however, the housing 202 may utilize alternating layers of conductive and/or non-conductive materials and such embodiment will be discussed in greater detail. In the embodiment shown, the housing 202 is made of polymeric material such as molded plastic material.

[0032] The module 200 further includes a surface mountable component 210, a substrate (not shown) and a receiver 212. The surface mountable component (SMC) 210 may include a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device, e.g. a transducer or silicon-based microphone such as the silicon condenser microphone disclosed in afore-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,482; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/886,754; International Patent Application PCT/US0148462; and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/238,256. In the embodiment shown, the SMC 210 is a MEMS based, miniature silicon condenser microphone. The SMC 210 may be molded within the housing 202 or fit or molded within a retainer structure 212 formed within the housing 202.

[0033] The SMC 210 includes a connecting surface 214 for electrically connecting with a printed circuit board (PCB) within the communication device or to otherwise electrically couple the SMC 210 to the communication device. The connecting surface 214 can be located on an upper surface 216, a side surface 218, or a bottom surface 220 of the SMC 210. The connecting surface 214 may be electrically coupled to the PCB via a soldering process; however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any form of electrical connection would suffice, including conductive adhesive, contacts, spring-loaded contacts, plugs, and the like. The module 200 may further include a secondary mounting structure that is electrically coupled to the connecting surface 214 and such embodiment will be discussed in greater detail. In the embodiment shown, the connecting surface 214 is located on the bottom surface 220 of the SMC 210 for electrically coupling the SMC 210 with the PCB 12 within the device 14.

[0034] At least one aperture or acoustic port, two are illustrated as ports 224 a and 224 b, is introduced on the surface of the housing 202 to allow acoustic waves to enter. For simplicity, when referring to the one or more acoustic ports reference will be made to acoustic port 224 with the understanding the one or more such ports may be provided. Multiple acoustic ports provide a directional sensitivity capability in the SMC 210. The acoustic port 224 can be formed on the upper surface 226, side surface 228 or bottom surface 230 of the housing 202, or in multiple locations on these surfaces. In the embodiment shown, the first acoustic port 224 a is located on the upper surface 226 and the second acoustic port 224 b is located on the bottom surface 230 to provide directional characteristics, i.e., omni-directional, bi-directional, or uni-directional sensitivity in the SMC 210.

[0035] The acoustic port 224 may be formed by a number of methods, including drilling or molding through the housing 202 to form an acoustic pathway to the SMC 210. Alternatively, a port may be formed, such as by drilling, completely through the housing 202, the device PCB and outer housing to allow acoustic energy to be coupled to the SMC 210.

[0036] The module 200 is capable of withstanding relatively high temperatures including those associated with various plastic molding processes. The module 210 may therefore be mounted within or mated to the device during a plastic molding process used to produce the device housing. Doing so provides the advantages of reduced overall size of the device while maintaining good electro-acoustic performance such as sensitivity, noise, stability, compactness, robustness, and insensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and other external and environmental conditions (including shock and debris).

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4A, the module 200 is electrically connected such as by soldering to the PCB 12 within the device 14. Alternately, FIG. 4B shows the module 200 may be mechanically or frictionally joined within a retaining structure 212 formed within the housing 16 of the device 14. In the illustrated embodiment, an extension portion 18 of the PCB 12 extends into and is locked within a relief structure 225. A surface 20 of the PCB 12 is pressed into contact with the connection surface 214 electrically coupling the module 200 to the PCB 12. Alternative methods such as fasteners, frictional connectors, snap fit, tongue and groove assemblies, that may or may not be formed as a portion of the external surface or outer housing 16 of the device 14, may be used to secure the module 200 to the device. It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that bonding and similar forms of joining, such as epoxy, tape and the like, may be used. The housing 202 of the module 200 may be colored and/or textured with a smooth polished surface including a beveled edge, dimples, or the like to match the external surface or outer housing 16 of the device 14.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4A, the combination of the housing 102, the PCB 12, and the housing 16 of the device 14 creates the second acoustic port 224 b and are in alignment with the SMC 210 for delivering acoustic energy to the SMC 210. The first acoustic port 224 a located on the upper surface 216 of the housing 202 and is acoustically coupled to the SMC 210.

[0039] The module 200 may be mounted within or mated to the device 14 during the plastic molding process used to form the device housing 16 to reduce the overall size of the device 14 and yet to maintain good electro-acoustic performance such as sensitivity, noise, stability, compactness, robustness, and insensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and other external and environmental conditions (including shock and debris).

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B a module 300 in accordance with a described embodiment of the invention can be used in a communication device, including devices similar to the device 14 illustrated in FIG. 1. The module 300 is similar in construction and function as the module 100 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and like elements are referred to using like reference numerals wherein, for example, 100 and 102 correspond to 300 and 302, respectively.

[0041] The SCM 310 may be affixed to the housing 302 by providing a layer of epoxy 332 such as a B-staged epoxy around the SMC 310 to form a gasket seal; however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other methods for affixing the SMC 310 are possible. In the embodiment shown, the gasket is formed at least to prevent leakage of acoustic waves from the acoustic pathway coupling the SMC 310 to the outside of the housing 302.

[0042] At least one aperture or acoustic port, three are illustrated as ports 324 a, 324 b and 324 c in FIG. 5A and two 324 a and 324 b are illustrated in FIG. 5b, is introduced on the surface of the housing 302 to allow acoustic waves to enter. For simplicity, when referring to the one or more acoustic ports reference will be made to acoustic port 324 with the understanding the one or more such ports may be provided. Multiple acoustic ports provide a directional sensitivity capability in the SMC 310. The acoustic port 324 can be formed on the upper surface 326, side surface 328 or bottom surface 330 of the housing 302, or in multiple locations on these surfaces. In the embodiment shown, the first acoustic port 324 a is located on the upper surface 326, the second acoustic port 324 b is located on the bottom surface 330, and the third acoustic port 324 c is located on the side surface 328 to provide directional characteristics, i.e., omni-directional, bi-directional, or uni-directional sensitivity in the SMC 310.

[0043] The acoustic port 324 may be formed by a number of methods, including drilling or molding through the housing 302 to form an acoustic pathway to the SMC 310. Alternatively, a port may be formed, such as by drilling, through the housing 302, the device PCB and outer housing to allow acoustic energy to be coupled to the SMC 310.

[0044] The module 300 may be electrically connected such as by soldering to the PCB 12 within the device 14. Alternately, FIG. 5B shows that the module 300 may be mechanically or frictionally joined within a retaining structure 312. Alternative methods such as fasteners, frictional connectors, snap fit, tongue and groove assemblies, that may or may not be formed as a portion of the external surface or outer housing 16 of the device 14, may be used to secure the module 300 to the device. It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that boding and similar forms of joining, such as epoxy, tape and the like, may be used. The housing 302 of the module 300 may be colored and/or textured with a smooth polished surface including a beveled edge, dimples, or the like to match the external surface or outer housing 16 of the device 14.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C a module 400 in accordance with a described embodiment of the invention can be used in communication device, including devices similar to the device 14 illustrated in FIG. 1. The module 400 is similar in construction and function as the module 100 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and like elements are referred to using like reference numerals wherein, for example, 100 and 102 correspond to 400 and 402, respectively.

[0046] The housing 402 is shown to have at least two layers 432 and 434, wherein layer 432 is an inner layer and layer 434 is an outer layer. The inner layer 432 is attached to the outer layer 434 for example, by bonding with adhesive, compression, or mechanical attachment. In one example, the inner layer 332 is made of polymeric material such as a molded plastic material and the outer layer 334 is made of polymeric material such as a molded plastic material that may be the same as or different than the polymeric material used to form the inner layer 432.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 6C, the housing 402 is made of a first layer 440, a second layer 442, and a third layer 444. The first layer 440 is attached on a surface 446 of the second layer 442 for example, by bonding with adhesive, compression, or mechanical attachment. The third layer 444 is attached on a surface 448 of the second layer 442 for example, by bonding with adhesive, compression, or mechanical attachment. In one example, the first and third layers 440 and 444 are made of polymeric material such as a molded plastic material and the second layer 442 is made of conductive material such as copper. The second layer 442 may be formed between the first layer 440 and the third layer 442 to protect the SMC 400 within the housing 400 against electromagnetic interference and the like.

[0048] The SMC 410 includes a connecting surface 414 for electrically connecting with a printed circuit board (PCB) with the device or to otherwise electrically couple the SMC 410 to the device. The connecting surface 414 can be located on an upper surface 416, a side surface 418, or a bottom surface 420 of the SMC 410. The connecting surface 414 may be electrically coupled to the PCB via a soldering process; however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any form of electrical connection would suffice, including conductive adhesive, contacts, spring-loaded contacts, plugs, and the like. In the embodiment shown, the connecting surface 414 is located on the side surface 418 of the SMC 410 for electrically coupling the SMC 410 with the PCB within the device.

[0049] At least one aperture or acoustic port, three are illustrated as ports 424 a, 424 b and 424 c, is introduced on the surface of the housing 402 to allow acoustic waves to enter. For simplicity, when referring to the one or more acoustic ports reference will be made to acoustic port 424 with the understanding the one or more such ports may be provided. Multiple acoustic ports provide a directional sensitivity capability in the SMC 410. The acoustic port 424 can be formed on the upper surface 416, side surface 418 or bottom surface 420 of the housing 402, or in multiple locations on these surfaces. In the embodiment shown, the first acoustic port 424 a is located on the upper surface 416, the second acoustic port 424 b is located on the bottom surface 420, and the third acoustic port 424 c is located on the side surface 418 to provide directional characteristics, i.e., omni-directional, bi-directional, or uni-directional sensitivity in the SMC 410.

[0050] The acoustic port 424 may be formed by a number of methods, including drilling or molding through the housing 402 to form an acoustic pathway to the SMC 410. Alternatively, a port may be formed, such as by drilling, through the housing 402, the device PCB and outer housing to allow acoustic energy to be coupled to the SMC 410.

[0051] An environmental barrier layer 450 that may be made of a polymeric material film such as polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) or a sintered metal is adhered to cover the acoustic ports 424 a, 424 b, 424 c to prevent debris from entering the module 400 and damaging the SMC 410 and the receiver 412 disposed within the housing 402. The environmental barrier layer 450 may further be selected to have acoustic properties, such as acoustic resistive properties, to improve the frequency response, create delay and provide directional response.

[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7B a module 500 in accordance with a described embodiment of the invention can be used in communication device, including devices similar to the device 14 illustrated in FIG. 1. The module 500 is similar in construction and function as the module 100 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and like elements are referred to using like reference numerals wherein, for example, 100 and 102 correspond to 500 and 502, respectively.

[0053] The housing 502 is made of an inner layer 532 and at least one outer layer 534. The inner layer 532 is attached to the outer layer 534 for example, by bonding with adhesive, compression, or mechanical attachment. In one example, the inner layer 532 is made of polymeric material such as a molded plastic material and the outer layer 534 is made of polymeric material such as a molded plastic material that may be the same as or different than the inner layer 532. Referring now to FIG. 7C, the housing 502 is made of a first layer 540, a second layer 542, and a third layer 544. The first layer 540 is attached on a surface 546 of the second layer 542 for example, by bonding with adhesive, compression, or mechanical attachment. The third layer 544 is attached on a surface 548 of the second layer 542 for example, by bonding with adhesive, compression, or mechanical attachment. The second layer 542 may be molded in situ between the first layer 540 and the third layer 544. In one example, the first and third layers 540 and 544 are made of polymeric material such as a molded plastic material and the second layer 542 is made of conductive material such as copper. The second layer 542 is formed between the first layer 540 and the third layer 544 to protect the SMC 510 within the housing 502 against electromagnetic interference and the like.

[0054] The SMC 510 may include a connecting surface 514 for electrically connecting with a printed circuit board (PCB) 12 of the device 14. The connecting surface 514 can be located on an upper surface 514, a side surface 516 or a bottom surface 518 of the SMC 510. The connecting surface 514 may be attached to the PCB via a soldering process; however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any form of electrical connection would suffice, including contacts, spring-loaded contacts, plugs, and the like. The module 500 may include a relief structure 525 adapted to receive an extension portion 18 of the PCB 12 for mechanically securing and electrically coupling the module 500 to the PCB 12. In the embodiment shown, the connecting surface 514 is located on the bottom surface 518 of the SMC 510 for electrically connecting with the PCB 12 of the device 14.

[0055] At least one aperture or acoustic port, two are illustrated as ports 524 a and 524 b, is introduced on the surface of the housing 502 to allow acoustic waves to enter. For simplicity, when referring to the one or more acoustic ports reference will be made to acoustic port 524 with the understanding the one or more such ports may be provided. Multiple acoustic ports provide a directional sensitivity capability in the SMC 510. The acoustic port 524 can be formed on the upper surface 526, side surface 528 or bottom surface 530 of the housing 502, or in multiple locations on these surfaces. In the embodiment shown, the first acoustic port 524 a is located on the upper surface 526 and the second acoustic port 524 b is located on the bottom surface 530 to provide directional characteristics, i.e., omni-directional, bi-directional, or uni-directional sensitivity in the SMC 410.

[0056] The acoustic port 524 may be formed by a number of methods, including drilling for molding through the housing 502 to form an acoustic pathway to the SMC 510 (FIGS. 7A-7B). Alternatively, a port may be formed, such as by drilling, through the housing 502, the device PCB and outer housing to allow acoustic energy to be coupled to the SMC 510.

[0057] An environmental barrier layer 550 that may be made of polymeric material film such as polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) or a sintered metal is adhered to cover the acoustic ports 524 a and 524 b to prevent debris from entering the module 500 and damaging the SMC 510 and the receiver 512 disposed within the housing 502. The environmental barrier layer 550 may selected to have acoustic properties to further improve the frequency response, create delay and provide directional response.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 8 a module 600 in accordance with a described embodiment of the invention can be used in communication device, including devices similar to the device 14 illustrated in FIG. 1. The module 600 is similar in construction and function as the module 100 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and like elements are referred to using like reference numerals wherein, for example, 100 and 102 correspond to 600 and 602, respectively. The module 600 may further include a secondary mounting structure 654 that is electrically connected to the connecting surface 614 of the SMC 610. The secondary mounting structure 654 may be a flex circuit, lead frame, or the like, for instance. The secondary mounting structure 654 may or may not be molded within the housing 602. In this example, the secondary mounting structure 654 is introduced to allow the SMC 610 to be mounted or molded within the housing 602 in a variety of orientations relative to the PCB 18 disposed within the device 14.

[0059] At least one aperture or one acoustic port, one illustrated as port 624 a, is introduced on the surface of the housing 602 to couple acoustic waves to SMC 610. The acoustic port 624 a can be formed on the upper surface 626, the side surface 628 or the bottom surface 630 of the housing 602, or in multiple locations on the upper, bottom and/or side surfaces of the housing 602. In the embodiment shown, the first acoustic port 624 a is located on the side surface 628 of the housing 602.

[0060] The module 600 may be mounted or mated within the device 14 during the plastic molding process used to form the housing 602 to reduce the overall size of the device 14 and yet maintain good electro-acoustic performance such as sensitivity, noise, stability, compactness, robustness, and insensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and other external and environmental conditions (including shock and debris). However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any form of electrical connection would suffice.

[0061] A device constructed in accordance with one or more of the described embodiments enjoy many advantages over the known devices. For example, a module, such as module 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 or 600 may be mounted to a PCB disposed within a housing of the device or may be a plug-in type unit, for instance. The module may be adapted for use in virtually any type of electronic device and especially electronic communication devices such a cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, and the like.

[0062] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0063] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An acoustic transducer module comprising: a housing; a surface mountable acoustic transducer disposed within the housing, the surface mountable acoustic transducer having a surface for electrically coupling the surface mounted acoustic transducer to a printed circuit board, the surface being exposed externally of the housing; and at least one acoustic pathway coupling the surface mountable acoustic transducer to an exterior surface of the housing.
 2. The acoustic transducer module of claim 1, wherein the surface mountable acoustic transducer is received within a cavity formed within the housing and secured therein.
 3. The acoustic transducer module of claim 2, wherein the surface mountable acoustic transducer is secured by one of: mechanical fasteners, friction and mutually engaging mechanical element.
 4. The acoustic transducer module of claim 2, wherein the surface mountable acoustic transducer is secured by bonding.
 5. The acoustic transducer module of claim 1, wherein the surface mountable acoustic transducer is in situ molded within the housing.
 6. The acoustic transducer module of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first housing member and a second housing member.
 7. The acoustic transducer module of claim 6, wherein the first housing member comprises an inner housing layer and the second housing member comprises an outer housing layer.
 8. The acoustic transducer module of claim 7, comprising an intermediate layer disposed between the first housing layer and the second housing layer.
 9. The acoustic transducer module of claim 8, wherein the first housing layer and the second housing layer are each non-conductive and the intermediate layer comprises a conductive layer.
 10. The acoustic transducer module of claim 1, comprising a barrier disposed within the acoustic pathway.
 11. The acoustic transducer module of claim 10, wherein the barrier comprises one of polymeric material film and a sintered metal.
 12. The acoustic transducer module of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a retaining structure adjacent the connecting surface, the retaining structure sized to receive an extension portion of a printed circuit board of an electronic device.
 13. The acoustic transducer module of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a mounting structure, the mounting structure configured to engage a complimentary mounting structure formed on an electronic device for securing the acoustic transducer module to the electronic device.
 14. The acoustic transducer module of claim 1, comprising a secondary mounting structure, the secondary mounting structure configured to electrically couple the surface mounted acoustic transducer to an electronic device.
 15. The acoustic transducer module of claim 1, wherein the surface mounted acoustic transducer comprises a miniature silicon condenser microphone.
 16. The acoustic transducer module of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the housing is aesthetically similar to an outer surface of an electronic device to which the acoustic transducer module is to be coupled.
 17. An electronic device comprising: a housing; a printed circuit board secured within the housing; an acoustic transducer housing; a surface mounted acoustic transducer disposed within the acoustic transducer housing, the surface mounted acoustic transducer having a surface for electrically coupling the surface mounted acoustic transducer to the printed circuit board, the surface being exposed externally of the housing; and at least one acoustic pathway coupling the surface mounted acoustic transducer to an exterior surface of the housing; the acoustic transducer housing being secured to the housing and the surface being in contact with the printed circuit board to electrically couple the surface mounted acoustic transducer to the printed circuit board.
 18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the electronic device comprises one of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a pager, a laptop computer and a portable web browser.
 19. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the acoustic transducer housing is one of bonded to, mechanically secured to and in situ molded within the housing.
 20. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the acoustic transducer housing has a surface forming a portion of a surface of the housing. 